Anti-drugs and knife crime advocate Christina Gabbitas has has been working with North Yorkshire Police since early 2021 to address the issues of county lines exploitation and related knife crime.
She has conducted numerous sessions in schools across the county working closely with the schools liaison and neighbourhood policing teams.
Commissioned by North Yorkshire Police, funded by North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Christina penned the story Trapped in County Lines, a follow-up to her previous work, No More Knives or County Lines.
Christina said: “The response from students has been incredibly impactful.
“Engaging discussions arise after the story, particularly as they grapple with the fate of characters like Mo, who loses his life due to knife violence, and Luke, who goes missing.
“It leaves them wondering what has become of him.”
Christina said she aims to secure funding for the next instalment and an accompanying animation to reveal Luke’s fate.
In March this year she launched a nationwide initiative aimed at inspiring young people to explore and write about the various facets of county lines exploitation.
In her story, a 13-year-old boy named Luke becomes trapped in this vicious cycle as drug dealers take over his mother’s home in a tactic known as “cuckooing.”
Faced with overwhelming circumstances, Luke’s last drug delivery pushes him over the edge, causing him to disappear without a trace.
Christina enlisted the help of 42 judges from various police forces across the UK, including those from North Yorkshire, Essex, Avon and Somerset, West Yorkshire, Humberside, the British Association of Women in Policing, and Lincolnshire. She also engaged youth workers, individuals with lived experience, and spoken word artists, all of whom contributed valuable insights.
Detective Chief Inspector John Sygrove said: “Having witnessed the devastating effects of County Lines on children first-hand, I was eager to secure funding to help publish poems that illustrate the extensive harm caused by drugs at every level.
“North Yorkshire Police and I are proud to support Christina’s essential work in raising awareness about the dangers of drug involvement and County Lines.”
“My goal was to educate as many children, young people, and community members as possible. I aimed to spark conversations about this issue, as it’s clear that we need to do more to raise awareness through schools and into our communities.
“I have taken on this project voluntarily to continue the impactful work I’ve been undertaking with North Yorkshire Police. My aspiration was to publish the top 60 poems and lyrics created by young people, which also incorporate lived experiences.
“Receiving an email from John Sygrove confirming that this project would be funded by money seized from criminals exploiting our youth was truly remarkable.”
Christina is set to receive £3,000 to help fund the project. A book will be available titled Listen Up! That will also include lived experience. This is et to be launched on March 21 next year, UNESCO World Poetry Day.
The funding for these projects stems from the “Section 27 fund,” which consists of money forfeited from offenders in court under section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
These funds are accessible to all departments within North Yorkshire Police for initiatives that lack local or national funding and are geared towards combating drug-related crime, enhancing crime prevention or detection, and improving asset recovery.
